February 20, 2026

LAKE CITY, FL – Pensacola Partner Michael Kehoe secured a total defense verdict for a dump truck driver in a motor vehicle accident jury trial where the Plaintiff sought $2 million in damages. After weighing competing testimony regarding the cause of the collision, the jury returned a verdict of $0, completely exonerating the defense from all liability claims.

Overview of the Case

The litigation involved a rear-end type collision between a dump truck and the Plaintiff's vehicle. The Plaintiff asserted that he was at a complete stop when he was struck from behind, leading to a three-level neck surgery just three months after the accident. The defense contested this narrative, presenting evidence that the Plaintiff had initiated a turn before suddenly re-entering the lane in front of the truck, making the collision unavoidable.

Key Difference-Makers

• Michael Kehoe – Partner, Pensacola

Administrative Support

• Blair Mize – Paralegal

Claims Made Against Our Client

The Plaintiff sought $2 million in total damages, with a specific request to the jury for $750,000 during closing arguments. Beyond the primary negligence claim related to the collision, the Plaintiff asserted counts of negligent entrustment and negligent training against the driver’s employer.

Defense Strategy

QPWB’s strategy centered on the credibility of the dump truck driver and an objective evaluation of the accident scene. Despite the Plaintiff requiring an interpreter throughout the trial, the defense successfully highlighted the inconsistencies in the Plaintiff's version of events.

By focusing on the driver’s credible testimony, Mr. Kehoe urged the jury to rely on foundational reasoning and the weight of the evidence over the complex, competing expert opinions presented by the opposition. This approach was designed to be respectful and non-imposing, allowing the jury to reach its own conclusions based on the factual evidence of the aggressive lane change rather than the severity of the Plaintiff’s subsequent surgeries.

Impact on Final Outcome

The strategy proved decisive as the jury rejected all claims of negligence, including the counts of negligent entrustment and training. By prioritizing the driver's credibility, the defense successfully overcame the challenges of conflicting testimony. The jury’s decision to award $0 completely protected the truck driver and their insurer from a potential seven-figure judgment.

Unique Aspects of the Case

The most unique aspect of this trial involved navigating the complexities of testimony across a language barrier, as the Plaintiff required an interpreter throughout the proceedings. Mr. Kehoe’s ability to establish the driver as the more credible party despite these communication challenges was vital in overcoming the Plaintiff’s claims.

Predicting the Future

This victory reinforces QPWB’s proficiency in handling high-stakes transportation and trucking litigation. By maintaining a dutiful and comprehensive approach to trial preparation and a respectful rapport with juries, QPWB continues to provide effective legal representation that minimizes exposure for commercial carriers and their drivers in complex motor vehicle accident disputes.

Key Actions in This Case

• Credibility Focus: Established the driver’s testimony as the definitive account of the accident.
• Evidence-Based Advocacy: Persuaded the jury to prioritize factual evidence over competing expert theories.
• Liability Defense: Successfully defeated secondary claims of negligent training and entrustment.

About QPWB

Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A. is one of the fastest growing law firms in the United States providing a different focus on what it means to provide responsive service to clients and team members. With a national presence of 55 offices and a comprehensive scope of over 130 practice areas, QPWB delivers legal representation in litigation, regulatory, and corporate matters to a diverse range of industries. This scope and rapid expansion has attracted unique legal talent from all different backgrounds and experiences which has made them the largest minority-owned law firm in the country.